#MyStoryMonday: Mary Bennett

Mary Bennett, Louisville
Area Chapter volunteer

“I really like how there’s a sense of community within the Red Cross. The volunteers and employees seem to be a tight knit group.” Mary Bennett started volunteering after deadly flooding hit Eastern Kentucky in 2021. She assisted at the Hazard, Kentucky shelter for the day. She was immediately drawn to the mission and started investigating more opportunities to be involved with Red Cross.

Mary grew up in the local area in Meade County. She lived in Elizabethtown for 22 years and now lives in Spencer County with her husband, Byron, and their labradane dog, Nova. Mary has a daughter named Stefanie that lives in Hoboken, NJ. Mary and Byron both work at UPS and are hoping to retire in a couple of years. She currently works part time, so that gives her the opportunity to volunteer.

Mary is a member of our Disaster Action Team (DAT) and has responded to house fire calls. Our DAT team members are often the first to respond on scene during a disaster, helping provide support, supplies, water, and comfort. She is also a Blood Transportation Specialist, where she transports blood to local hospitals. “It’s important to volunteer because we should always be giving back and helping others,” said Mary.

Mary has been a blood donor since high school. She currently has her 8-gallon donation pin. Her father was diagnosed with lymphoma around 6 years ago and Mary donates platelets to give back to cancer patients. “I’ve donated more consistently in the past few years,” commented Mary.

Mary and Byron

In her free time, Mary enjoys playing golf with Byron, hiking, paddling, and walking Nova. She also likes to cook and commented that the Thanksgiving holiday is her favorite. Mary and Byron are co-team leaders at Southeast Christian Church Blankenbaker Campus in the children’s ministry. They assist with babies from birth until they are of walking age. They get the children checked in and help manage the 5 children’s rooms.

Mary commented on Byron’s generosity saying, “he makes sure all of our volunteers are taken care of.” Byron hopes to have more time in the coming years to tag team with Mary in her Red Cross volunteering efforts. They have been married for 20 years.

We are incredibly thankful for husband-and-wife teams like Mary and Byron! If you are interested in learning more about our DAT teams or becoming a blood transportation specialist, visit redcross.org/volunteertoday.

Mary and Nova